The Virginia Commissioner of Health approved Kingsport, Tenn.-based Wellmont Health and Johnson City, Tenn.-based Mountain State Health Alliance's request to extend the review period for their proposed merger, according to the Times-News.
Officials requested an extension to align the time frame with that of the review process simultaneously occurring in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Health deemed the organizations' certificate of public advantage incomplete in January. The COPA filing must be approved by the necessary regulatory agencies in both states in order for officials to approve the proposed merger agreement.
With the new time frame, the Virginia Department of Health will have until June 15 to approve the organizations' COPA filing, provided the health systems give the DOH "all [the] information" the Virginia health commissioner considers necessary and Tennessee state health officials approve the COPA application by March 1.
If one or both of those stipulations are not met, the health systems will confer with the Virginia commissioner on another possible extension to align the review processes in both states once more.
"Our objective is to ensure our applications in both states fully reflect our vision for the improved health of our region and that the associated records strongly support a positive outcome," said Alan Levine, president and CEO of MSHA. "We are pleased with the progress we've made to date in bringing our two organizations together, and we appreciate the Virginia commissioner's willingness to allow us extra time to be sure both states have the benefit of the full record as they review our applications."
"We are working with thoughtful leaders throughout our health systems, in our community and in both states on this important and deliberate process," said Bart Hove, president and CEO of Wellmont. "We remain grateful for the overwhelming support we have received from stakeholders throughout our region who recognize the importance of this decision on the health and well-being of those we will serve now and for generations to come."